The song depicts an ancient arena match between a beast and a gladiator to see who comes out on top, only to then witness to the futility of such barbarism as both man and monster are slaughtered all for the audience’s sadistic amusement.
[Verse 1]
Arena filled with screaming crowd
In ecstasy they cry
Paid money for a pleasant show
Want to see him die
The matador in shining dress
Intent to prove his courage
Drove by rejoicing mass
It boils his pulsing blood
[Chorus]
Exhibition bouts under the star of law
Men take pleasure in hanging gore
Cruelty to animals crime that won't get punished
Creatures treated as rubbish
[Verse 2]
With direct stabs into living flesh
To agonise the bull
No way out the fronts are clear
Take offensive jab it though
On and on ride to the fall
In danger of his life
Wounded find no place to hide
Death will soon arrive
[Chorus]
Exhibition bouts under the star of law
Men take pleasure in hanging gore
Cruelty to animals crime that won't get punished
Creatures treated as rubbish
[Bridge]
Blood soaks and stains the parched ground
The slaughter to inaugurate
Duel between man and beast
Their eyes are filled with hate...
(Hate... hate...)
(Hate... hate...)
[Guitar Solo]
[Verse 3]
He restrained fierce at the eleventh hour
Till death blows save his soul
No right to exist lamentation is law
His flesh served up a grub
Now finds piece in a better world
Where man and beast are one
Arena was filled with screaming crowd
He is dead and they are gone
[Chorus]
Exhibition bouts under the star of law
Men take pleasure in hanging gore
Cruelty to animals crime that won't get punished
Creatures treated as rubbish
Exhibition Bout was written by Frank Blackfire & Chris Witchhunter & Tom Angelripper.
Exhibition Bout was produced by Harris Johns.
Sodom released Exhibition Bout on Thu Jun 01 1989.